Characterization of reverse osmosis cellulose acetate membranes by gas adsorption method: effect of casting variables and chlorine damage

M. J. Han, D. Bhattacharyya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The gas adsorption isotherms of cellulose acetate RO membranes were investigated in order to characterize the pores of laboratory prepared membranes. The data showed that before annealing, the molecular structure was relatively homogeneous, but during annealing, the heterogeneity of the membrane molecular structure increased, the micropores were enlarged and thus pore volume and surface area were increased. The nature of the membrane pore structure suggested by adsorption measurements on vacuum dried RO membranes will not, however, be identical to that existing before membrane drying. The water permeability decreased from 278.0 × 10-5 cm3/cm2-sec for unannealed membrane to 9.2 × 10-5 cm3/cm2-sec for membranes annealed at 90°C. Increase of gelation temperature made the resulting membrane possess mesopores in spite of unannealed conditions. The membrane gelation temperature of 20°C showed the characteristics of an ultrafiltration membrane. Gas adsorption experiments using chlorine damaged membranes showed considerable decrease in both pore volume and surface area.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)325-346
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume62
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 30 1991

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research project was supported by the National Science Foundation.

Keywords

  • membrane preparation and structure
  • reverse osmosis
  • solubility and partitioning
  • water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Filtration and Separation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterization of reverse osmosis cellulose acetate membranes by gas adsorption method: effect of casting variables and chlorine damage'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this